Green Fleet

Bolt EV’s Drive Unit, Battery Detailed

January 11, 2016
• by Staff

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV’s drive system uses a single high capacity electric motor to propel the car that's charged from a lithium-ion battery pack, General Motors has announced at the Detroit auto show.

The electric motor was designed with an offset gear and shaft configuration tailored to meet an estimated 200 miles of range. The motor is capable of producing up to 266 lb.-ft. of torque and 200 hp of motoring power. Combined with a 7.05:1 final drive ratio, it helps propel the Bolt EV from 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds.

Power delivery is controlled by Chevrolet’s first Electronic Precision Shift system. This shift and park-by-wire system sends electronic signals to the Bolt EV’s drive unit to manage precise feel and delivery of power and torque, based on drive mode selection and accelerator inputs. A by-wire shifter requires less packaging space than a traditional mechanical shifter, resulting in more interior space and improved interior layout.

Preliminary specifications of the battery include a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with 288 lithium ion cells, weighing 960 lbs. The battery uses active thermal conditioning, similar to the Chevrolet Volt, to keep the battery operating at its optimum temperature. The Bolt EV battery will be covered by an 8-year/ 100,000 mile (whichever comes first) limited warranty.

Inside the battery pack – which spans the entire floor, from the front foot well to back of the rear seat – is a new cell design and chemistry. The nickel-rich lithium-ion chemistry provides improved thermal operating performance, which requires a smaller active cooling system for more efficient packaging. The chemistry allows the Bolt EV to maintain peak performance in varying climates and driver demands. The cells are arranged in a “landscape” format and each measures in at 3.9 in. high and 13.1 in. wide, providing improved packaging underfloor.

The battery system is mated to a standard equipment 7.2 kW onboard charger for regular overnight charging from a 240-V wall box. A typical commute of 50 miles can be recharged in less than two hours. Bolt EV also features an optional DC Fast Charging system using the industry standard SAE Combo connector. Using DC Fast Charging, the Bolt EV battery can be charged up to 90 miles of range in 30 minutes.

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